Falkirk Tartan

 

In 1934 a horde of almost 2,000 silver Roman coins was discovered by workmen on the site now occupied by Tesco’s store. The coins were found in a clay vessel, together with a piece of cloth.

 

The cloth was woven in a checked pattern using two colours of natural wool, one dark brown and one a paler cream, and is widely believed to be the earliest example of tartan yet identified.

 

Examination of the coins showed them to cover the reigns of several emperors, the latest being dated AD230, and it has been suggested that they were part of a payment to local tribes to encourage them to keep the peace.

 

Both the coins and the 'Falkirk Tartan' cloth are today in the care of the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

 

The Falkirk District Tartan is alive with vibrant colour to reflect that part of Scotland as it is seen today. It was the winning entry in a public competition run by Falkirk Town Centre Management to create a new image for an area that is rising from the ashes of its former industrial glory.

 

The Colours

• Brown: represents the dominant colour of the original cloth.
• Blue: links Falkirk district with sea by the River Forth and the canals. It is also the colour of the Falkirk 'Bairns' (Falkirk Football Club).
• Red: is the colour of the blast furnace flames from the Falkirk foundries.
• Yellow: signifies wealth and prosperity.
• Black: the black lines intersect on blue to show Falkirk at the crossroads of all roads through the region.